Warnock made an interesting statement, where he believed clubs would be looking to swap players rather than shell out money,
Dumping big contracts for smaller ones , that's a big problem for Boro trying to move some of our inept talent. And getting value back.
October is deadline day, when the big scramble will start ,a few games in , and league position panic .
NW also mentioned he's looking at those players who've been there done it , wherever they are?
@selwynoz. "It looks as if everyone looking for players is hanging on to their money".
Not everyone, as deals are being done elsewhere. For example, Stoke have recruited four players including Jon Obi Mikel, which probably puts paid to the rumour of McNair to Stoke.
QPR have recruited three players including one midfielder that Boro were allegedly interested in. Cardiff and Notts Forest have both picked up strikers. Many have said that it is a buyers market but that only holds true if there is a willing seller.
I would hope that MFC's strategy is one of working down lists of preferred choices and making appropriate offers but walking away and moving on when limits are reached or where T&Cs cannot be met.
I am not sure if Boro are employing a strategy of wait and see in the hope that clubs become desperate for cash as the window begins to close or if they are so short of cash themselves they are having to wait for sales to be able to pursue and conclude deals - could be a long wait!
Whatever the reason is it could have a serious impact on how the season proceeds if we are left short of personnel or have not had time to bed new recruits into the team when the season starts. It should be remembered that the window does not close until the 16th of October, which is well over a month after the season starts. 😎
Selwynoz, It could well be that there a couple of answers right under the clubs collective nose, I certainly hope so. I must say that I am sick of all the hyperbole and cliche about linked, fights, tussles, three way and the rest. The Spurs boy was never coming North so I ignore all that rubbish then there are fees described that Boro just can't/won't afford.
All will be revealed, as long as it's not a Tommy Cooper reveal.
UTB,
John
I see Danny Coyne has been replaced by Ian Bennett as Goalkeeping Coach with Coyne now left the club.
The Transfer market hasn't really got moving yet but we have a lot of gaps to fill. George Friend, Rudy Gestede, Ryan Shotton, Adam Clayton, Dani Ayala all departed due to expired contracts. Then there were the four loan players of which Roberts and Moukoudi seemed useful but I wouldn't miss Ravel Morrison or Lukas Nmecha. Only Grant Hall has come in so thats nine out and one in leaving presumably eight gaps or thereabouts and thats if Pears doesn't join Blackburn.
Meanwhile the Gazette seem to be hyping up the Williams link with Wigan, might just be me but from that above list Midfielders doesn't seem a priority to me. In balance I guess you have to get what you can when you can in today's market as there is also the possibility of planned further outgoings.
Paying a transfer fee ATM seems a bit silly as most clubs don't know where their next £££ is coming from.
I am sure Steve will ensure we meet FFP, other clubs will end up in trouble ( you can only sell your stadium once)
I would prefer we looked at freebies first and only hit the panic button in the last two weeks.
I don't think there are that many outstanding players at our level, moulding players into an effective unit is the secret for promotion and if anyone can do that it's NW. Can't see him wanting superstars or tolerating egos.
So keep the cheque book in the drawer for now and let the other mugs rack up debt that could be their downfall.
Are you sure about only selling your stadium once. I'm sure ther will be bean could tears out there working out how to buy it back and then to sell it to a higher bidder....
I hadn't considered that, buy it back for £1 and sell it again.
After all they would be buying back from their owner who can sell it for what he wants. Then he could buy it back for market value. Hmmm......
@billyBilly, unless you are Derby, and then you take out a loan against the Stadium..
You know what they say, 'a man with a briefcase can rob you for more than a man with gun'. No doubt the Football league will drop on them hard and heavy just like an avalanche.
UTB,
John
Shrewsbury town will be our first competitive match of 20/21 season, in the Caraboa Cup at the Riverside.
Come on BORO.
I thought I might pitch a new series for Netflix.
It's called Boro til I Die, the suspenseful story of a dedicated septuagenarian football manager travelling from one end of the country to another each week in a time of plague, when he should be sheltering.
In the event of the season being abandoned, the manager, like all others in the league will be invited to estimate the number of points his team would have won had the season been completed. To give the process added rigour these estimates to be double-checked by their Chairmen, heads of clubs who have no material interest in league tables.
The season comes to a rousing climax with the Boro being awarded 105 points, the highest number ever won by a team being relegated.
Defender Charlie Goode, who we were after, has signed for Brentford this morning.
Come on BORO.
Rumours emanating that we are in the lead to sign Joe Williams so fingers crossed that we can land this one before somebody nips in and steals him. Personally I'd rather be adding in other positions but with the squad so decimated at the minute any bodies through the door will be welcome.
To be honest Redcar Red, I don’t think we are that strong in midfield, especially if McNair does leave.
Come on BORO.
Just realised that Nathan Wood-Gordon's contract expired on 30th July 2020. The 18 year old center back made his Boro debut two years ago.
Have anyone noticed if he has left the club or signed a new contract? I cannot remember if I have seen him training this week but one can easily miss a photo there.
We need more defenders. Up the Boro!
To be honest Redcar Red, I don’t think we are that strong in midfield, especially if McNair does leave.
Come on BORO.
I think Warnock wants a particular type of midfielder and presumably Williams is that type. I'm not so sure McNair will end up at Stoke now after their buying spree including JOM's arrival at the Potteries. Clayton out and Williams in is fine but I'd much rather see a CB, LB and a couple of Wingers and maybe even a RB before Midfielders come in but I guess you have to get them while you can.
@jarkko as far as I’m aware he’s still part of the club and is still only 18. As he was part of the academy any transfer fee has to reflect the training and coaching input by Boro Over the past few years.
I’ve asked around what the situation is
OFB
About McNair.
I think most of us have been pretty relaxed about his moving on.
He has often played well, and has plenty of energy, skill and grit. He has good defensive qualities, is a good tackler who is not easily bossed in midfield, and he has chimed in with some useful goals.
Yet the general feeling persists that he has not really fulfilled his potential here.
Then again who has?
One of the problems has been that he has rarely been given an extended run in any one position.
That verdict, however, that we should be relaxed about his moving on has been somewhat modified for me over the past few weeks.
The change of heart was provoked by Warnock's recent statement that, given his depleted numbers, he would ideally like a good utility player, someone who could fill in and do a job in a number of different positions.
Within this context, who could we get who would do a better job than a player who has operated for us at full- back, central defence, wing-back, defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, and occasional dead- ball specialist, and rarely let us down?
I understand that McNair might be an expensive asset that we can ill afford, but if we really are desperate for a utility player we are unlikely to find anyone who fits that particular bill more effectively than a player already on our books.
My issue with McNair is not his ability but his attitude. He seems to play when he feels like it. Pulis bought him then didn't play him. Woodgate played him (and got good performances initially). Warnock mostly hasn't played him. To me he gives off a negative/divisive vibe.
It may be the case that we can't sell him (or any other of our high earners) because no one is going to match his wages and pay a fee. In that case Warnock is going to have to get a performance out of him.
@lenmasterman As I said in a recent post sometimes the answer is under your nose but how do you get the best out of the player? A kick up the arse or an arm around the shoulder and a cuddle. Hopefully Mr Warnock knows which is best.
UTB,
John
@borobrie. I’ve checked with Nathan and he has another two years on his current contract which he signed last year so no panic !
I’m regularly in touch with his father Dean Gordon an ex Boro player who was a great footballer for Boro and still looks fit
OFB
I’m exhausted just watching the Day 2 video of Boro’s training routine.
@borobrie. I’ve checked with Nathan and he has another two years on his current contract which he signed last year so no panic !
I’m regularly in touch with his father Dean Gordon an ex Boro player who was a great footballer for Boro and still looks fit
OFB
Thanks, Robin.
I checked only the Transfernarkt web site but there must have been a mistake, then.
I hope the kids are given a chance but also think we need to sogn an experienced centreback, too
Up the Boro!
Well another supposed Boro target (Joe Williams) goes elsewhere (Bristol City).
It would be interesting to hear what NW thinks so far of the recruitment teams’ efforts! 😎
@borobrie. I’ve checked with Nathan and he has another two years on his current contract which he signed last year so no panic !
I’m regularly in touch with his father Dean Gordon an ex Boro player who was a great footballer for Boro and still looks fit
OFB
Thanks Bob
UTB Bri
Word of the Day: RETRONYM — a term for the original version of something which becomes necessary after the invention of a new version of the thing. For instance, ‘acoustic guitar’, ‘broadcast TV’, ‘hardcover book’ ‘silent film’ or “ successful recruitment dept”
Well another supposed Boro target (Joe Williams) goes elsewhere (Bristol City).
It would be interesting to hear what NW thinks so far of the recruitment teams’ efforts! 😎
It’s even been claimed Goode, 25, was close to agreeing a deal with Boro and met with Warnock but couldn’t agree terms.
The above was reported in the Hartlepool Mail, so it may not be all the recruitment team’s fault. Do people think it is wrong that NW is refusing to pay above the wage that he thinks they are worth or above what we can afford.
It is noticeable that the teams that players (we are reportedly after) are signing for clubs that were battling for the playoffs last season as opposed to ourselves, who were fighting relegation.
In the past, MFC have been condemned by their own fans for paying over priced transfer fees and offering weekly wages, we couldn’t really afford, just to get the player to sign, so let’s not condemn NW and the recruitment team for sticking to an agreed wage structure and realistic transfer fee.
I read today that championship sides are restricted to a squad of 25 players, that in itself will affect the latter part of the transfer window, at the moment MFC have a first team squad of 24 players.
Come on BORO.